Khabib Nurmagomedov shuts down Dana White anew: 'Fights not part of my plans'

UFC lightweight world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has reiterated that he is done as a professional mixed martial arts fighter.

The 32-year-old from Dagestan, Russia, surprised the world when he announced his retirement after defending his world title for the third time via second-round submission over Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 in October.

Currently the no. 1 pound-for-pound MMA fighter in the world and one of the biggest draws in the sport, Nurmagomedov said he still strains regularly but his plans for the future have nothing to do with the UFC at all.

"If we talk about all my business projects, I have so much to do that is planned. And fights are not in these plans. But if we talk about the fights, they are not a part of my plans," he told Sport24.

"I don't even have any plans for the UFC in the near future. I don't have any thoughts about preparing for the fight," he added.

UFC president Dana White also tried his best to lure Nurmagomedov back in the cage but to no avail.

"There must be some motivation, some hunger. If you're not hungry, you know, I've been in sports for so many years. I've been doing it all my life. I have achieved almost everything in this sport, and there isn't someone who I would like to fight now," Nurmagomedov said.

"I know that there are many fighters who would like to earn money, who strive for something. What should I do? A lot of people don't want to understand my side. I don't see that yet," he said. —MGP, GMA News